5 times Andy Murray impressed in 2016

Race to the Top: Andy Murray is quickly proving himself as the best and could well take top rank

It is fair to say that Andy Murray has had a satisfying year, after managing to land his 3^rd Grand Slam title to crown numerous other successes as well in 2016. What’s more, he’s breathing down Novak Djokovic’s neck in a bid to usurp the Serb from his throne as the No.1 ranked tennis player in the world.

Read more: How Murray can end 2016 as World No. 1

Recently, he won the China Open and the Shanghai Masters.

Couple it with Novak’s recent loss in form (or rather, his aura), Murray looks primed to mount an assault on his arch rival’s status as the ‘Numero Uno’. While it doesn’t look quite possible before this year ends, 2017 holds much promise for Andy. Not to mention the injury concerns of the 2 greats – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The change in coach also seems to have worked wonders for Murray. He parted ways with Amelie Mauresmo before this year’s French Open and brought Ivan Lendl back on board. Clearly, that was a good decision by the Scot – one that appears to have underpinned a good second half of the season.

It’s been an impressive season for the Scot, so let’s take a look at some of his most impressive moments of 2016 so far :-

#5 Rome Masters: First win on clay over Djokovic

ROME, ITALY - MAY 15: Novak Djokovic of Serbiacongratulates Andy Murray of Great Britain on his win after the Mens Singles Final during day eight of The Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2016 on May 15, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) — Murray beat Djokovic for the Internazional BNL d’Italia title

Andy Murray’s mental block over Djokovic in major finals is well documented. And when the surface is clay, the less said the better.

Murray was reeling after losing the Australian Open final to the Serb and was visibly emotional at the event. As such, the 2016 Rome Masters in May proved to be a huge turnaround for Murray. Not only was it his first title of the season, he also made it doubly sweet by defeating none other than Djokovic in the final. Incredibly, the 6-3, 6-3 result was his first career win over the Serb on clay – which is not really his favourite surface.

He defeated Mikhail Kukushkin, Jeremy Chardy, 12th seed David Goffin and Lucas Pouille in the run-up to the final. Meanwhile, Murray also became the first British player to win the tournament since Virginia Wade (It’s always her, isn’t it?) in 1971. Impressive, isn’t it?